The emergence of Cēsis can be found in the distant past 800 years ago. Its origins are connected to the Cēsis Medieval castle, around which in the 13th century a town was built. Over the centuries the castle shared its destiny with the city of Cēsis in battles with Russian, Polish and Swedish troops. Repeatedly rebuilt and expanded the castle got its present architectural appearance at the beginning of the 16th century. Today the castle is the most impressive eyewitness of local history, and also attracts many guests with its romantic charm of the medieval architecture.
With the map and candlelight taken from the tourist information centre of the Medieval castle, you can view the Western Tower, and also the living room of the Master which contains unique interiors dating from the 16th century with splendid stellar coves, vaulted consoles from artificial stone and fragments of wall paintings. From the attic of the tower a spectacular view opens to the other side of the castle garden, park and the whole Cēsis town.
Cēsis New Castle, together with the territory of the Castle manor historic centre and the Livonian Order medieval castle ruins makes one of the most important and romantic historical attractions of Vidzeme region and Eastern Baltic. New Castle is one of the few 18th-century Castle manor houses in Latvia, built into the medieval fortification system – instead of the tower and the gate protection building. Its history covers almost five centuries. Since 1949, the Cēsis History and Art Museum has been established in the building of the New Castle.
Cēsis Exhibition Hall is unique with its architectural design of the premises. An expressive architectural style, composed of impressive woodwork rooms provide an opportunity to organize various exhibitions, and excellent acoustics allows to organize concerts of academic music. Due to the wide variety of exhibitions, concerts and other social events, the Exhibition Hall fits in the cultural processes of Cēsis, Latvia and worldwide.
